The Ten Best Punchlines on “The College Dropout”

Kanye West changed the landscape of Hip-Hop when he dropped his debut album The College Dropout ten years ago this month. It was probably no surprise to Kanye that the album produced five hit singles, landed at No. 2 on Billboard’s Top 100 Album’s list, and sold double platinum—it has now sold over four million copies worldwide.

Kanye was able to strike a chord with his listening audience and not just because of the types of production on the album. It was also his ability to relate to listeners and articulate the common struggles people go through on a day-to-day basis, as they attempt to pursue their dreams.

Kanye discussed his magical ingredient for The College Dropout during a rare, 2004 interview with Mass Appeal published on Complex.com.

The ten years that passed humbled Kanye, who stated that The College Dropout was a “true labor of love.” It’s reflected in everything about the album, from the production, to the mix, the guest appearances (a debut album with Jay Z, Twista, Common, Freeway, etc.) and the album cover.

“I am honored and humbled by my fans, for the unwavering support and love over the past ten years. I wake up every day trying to give something back to you that you can rock to and be proud of,” Kanye tweeted.

In honor of its anniversary, we pulled a few of Kanye’s best witty, amusing, or well-written punch lines on The College Dropout.

1. We Don’t Care

The drug game bulimic, it’s hard to get weightA ni**a’s money is h*m*, it’s hard to get straightBut we gonna keep baking til the day we get cake

3. Jesus WalksWell if this take away from my spinsWhich will probably take away from my endsThen I hope this take away from my sins

4. Never Let Me DownNow ni**as can’t make it to ballots to choose leadershipBut we can make it to Jacob’s and to the dealershipSwear I hear new music and I just don’t be feeling itRacism’s still alive, they just be concealing it

5. Get ‘Em HighMy flow is in the pocket like wallets, I got the bounce like hydraulics, I can’t call it, I got the swerve like alcoholics

6. Breathe In, Breathe OutAlways said if I rapped I’d say something significantBut now I’m rapping bout money, hoes, and rims againAnd it’s still about the BenjaminsBig faced hundreds and whatever other synonymsStrippers named CinnamonMore chips than Pentium

7. School SpiritI got a Jones like Norah for your soror bring more of them girls I’ve seen in The Aurora

9. Through The WireUnbreakable, what you thought, they’d call me Mr. GlassLook back on my life like the Ghost of Christmas Past

10. Family BusinessYou know that one auntie, you don’t mean to be rudeBut every holiday nobody eating her foodAnd you don’t wanna stay there cause them your worst cousinsGot roaches at their crib like them your first cousinsAct like you ain’t took a bath with your cousins
Fit three in the bed while it’s six of y’allI’m talking ’bout three by the head and three by the legBut you aint have to tell my girl I used to pee in the bed